The WorldSkills Competition is the biggest and most important international skills competition in the world. It is held every two years in one of the WorldSkills member countries and regions.

The event brings together young people from around 50 nations across the globe to compete to become the best of the best in their chosen skill. There are over 40 skills categories in the competition - ranging from bricklaying to restaurant services and landscape gardening to IT competitions.

Their progress is keenly watched by hundreds of thousands of visitors who include young people, policy makers, government representatives, employers, teachers, trainers and experts from around the world.

In 2006, the UK successfully bid to host the WorldSkills London 2011 Competition. The legacy of WorldSkills London 2011 will be to:

• See vocational education and skills as leading to a valuable and worthwhile career choice and a key element in economic success
• Encourage new countries/regions to join the WorldSkills family through demonstrating the contribution skills competitions make to raising standards.